All teachers and education support personnel have the right to organise and be part of a union that represents and defends their values and interests. However, around the world, education unions are facing serious attacks and operate in increasingly challenging and hostile environments. Revitalising unions, building their power by boosting membership and active participation and maximising impact is the way forward.
EI has received information from its members in Nepal that all teachers' union leaders have been released from detention - the last one being released on Feb 16. EI affiliates in Nepal - NTA, NNTA and TUN - thank all EI member organisations for their support. It is obvious that...
Nepal: All teachers' union leaders have been released but situation remains volatile
Education International has written to Mikheil Saakashvili, the president of the Republic of Georgia, and Alexander Lomaia the minister of education & science, in support of affiliate the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union of Georgia.
Georgia: EI’s letter of protest to the President and Minister of Education & Science
The Global Union Federations are supporting the international day of action in support of Iranian unionists following the continuing repression against the Trade Union of the Greater Teheran United Bus Company (Sherkate-Vahed).
Iran: Union day of action
EI and other trade union bodies are monitoring the situation in Nepal closely, as hundreds of pro-democracy activists are still detained across the country.
EI monitors the situation in Nepal
Former general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), and member of EI’s European Committee, Peter Smith, has died at the age of 65.
UK: Peter Smith, former ATL general secretary dies
"Apparently, there is a reciprocal lack of understanding about the crucial importance of fundamental human rights like freedom of expression, that constitute the basis of democratic societies, and on the other hand, the religious feelings of millions of people in Muslim countries," said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen, when...
EI on Danish cartoon row: extra attention should be paid to teaching democracy and human rights
EI sent a message to the King of Nepal, strongly protesting against the massive arrests of human rights activists, including teachers belonging to its affiliated teacher unions in the country.
Nepal: EI protests against the arrest of teacher trade unionists
The Government of Guyana has agreed to meet EI affiliate the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) following the `Stress Day' boycott of classrooms.
Guyana: Government and teachers union to meet next week
EI affiliate the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) has joined three other labour organisations and formally signed a Mutual Aid and Assistance pact to promote and protect collective bargaining in Canada.
Four Canadian unions sign pact to protect collective bargaining
Please be informed that the charges against Rong Chhun President of the Cambodia Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA), and Kem Sokha, President of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), Pa Nguon Teang, Deputy President of the CCHR, who were released on 17 January 2006, have been dropped. The charges against...
Cambodia: Charges Against CITA President dropped
EI affiliate the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) has decided not to take industrial action as they prepare to start negotiations with government negotiators over the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Bahamas: Strike averted as negotiations begin
At a meeting with Kofi Annan at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 25 January, the global trade union movement reached "good understandings" with the United Nations Secretary General on a series of key international issues.
International Trade Union Bodies Meet With UN Secretary General in Davos
On 21 January 2006, EI affiliate, the Teachers’ Union of the Democratic Republic of Congo (SY.E.CO) held a General Assembly Meeting to assess the promises made to teachers in the last few months.
Democratic Republic of Congo: EI affiliate demands that government fulfills commitments
Christiane Bitougat, General Secretary of the Gabonese teachers' union SENA, has been appointed Labour Minister of the new government of Omar Bongo on Jan 19. She is also a member of the Francophone teachers' union committee CSFEF.
SENA General Secretary appointed as Gabon's new Minister of Labour
It is a victory in the history of teacher trade unionism in Africa that the President of the Tanzania Teachers' Union (TTU), Margaret Sitta, has recently been appointed the country's Minister of Education and Vocational Training.
Tanzania: TTU President turns Education Minister
CITA have informed EI that Rong Chhun, their president who was arrested on October 15, was released on bail yesterday. Chhun’s release on bail follows a campaign of intense pressure by the international trade union movement, including the ICFTU, Education International and a number of its affiliates.
Cambodia: Rong Chhun released on bail – charges remain
EI affiliate the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has vowed to resist any attempts by the Minister for Finance to slash the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Education.
Kenya: KNUT resists budget cuts
The Government of the Republic of Montenegro signed the Branch Collective Agreement with EI affiliate the Independent Union of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Montenegro (ITUESCSM) on 23 December, 2005 after Education International’s intervention.
Montenegro: Success for Education Union as Collective Agreement signed